2003 Ford F-150 complaints

RECENTLY, THE HEADLIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS, AUTO LIGHT FUNCTIONS, DOOR LOCKS, EXC., ALL BEGAN PERFORM ERRATICALLY; INCLUDING THE DASH LIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT! THE NEXT DAY I WENT GREAT LAKES FORD IN LUDINGTON, MI. AS SOON AS I MENTIONED ONE OF THE SYMPTOMS, THE TECH IMMEDIATELY KNEW THE PROBLEM: HE TOLD ME THAT THE OEM ADHESIVE ON THE WINDSHIELD HAD FAILED CAUSING WATER TO LEAK DOWN BEHIND THE DASH AND DIRECTLY ONTO THE GEM MODULE AND FUSE PANEL. HE SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM OVER AND OVER WITH THIS YEAR F150 AND HAD PROBABLY FIXED MORE THAN 100 OVER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO. THE LOCAL WINDSHIELD SHOP, DUNESIDE AUTO GLASS; THE OWNER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE DONE MORE THAN 25 WINDSHIELDS THIS YEAR AT GREAT LAKES FORD FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I CHECK THE FORD WEBSITES AND ALSO FOUND THAT THERE IS A TSB LISTED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $1200 WHICH INCLUDED $500 IN PARTS FOR THE BOX ASY, MODULE AND NEW LIGHT SWITCH,$351 IN LABOR AND $325 FOR A NEW WINDSHIELD PLUS TAXES. HOW CAN THERE NOT BE A RECALL FOR THIS? IF THE PROBLEM IS THAT PREVALENT AT A NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN FORD DEALER, IT HAS TO BE EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY. *TR

I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL THAT MY VEHICLE HAS A RECALL ON PART OF THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM. THIS CAN CAUSE AN UNDER THE HOOD FIRE AND NEEDS A REPLACEMENT PART/FUSE INSTALLED. THE PART WILL NOT BE IN UNTIL MARCH 2008! *TR

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE, STRIPPING ALL THE THREADS IN THE CYLINDER HEAD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F150. THE INTERIOR TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND THE EXTERIOR TURN SIGNALS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE IN THE WIRES. UPDATED 11/14/07

TRUCK SPEEDS-UP WIDE OPEN AFTER CRANKING AND GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE!! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA -THE FIRST TIME WAS ON 5/30/07. SINCE THE LAST FILING MY F150 TRUCK HAS HAD A "SPEED-UP OCCASION" THREE TIMES IN AUG. '07 AND THREE TIMES IN OCT. '07 THE LAST TIME BEING ON OCT. 16, '07. SOONER OR LATER THESE SPEED UPS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT!! *JB SEE ALSO ODI 10192039 *DSY

PAINT PEELING. *TR

TREAD CAME OFF, TOTAL FAILURE, EXPLOSIVE CONSEQUENCES: TWO FENDER BRACES RIPPED OFF, THE RIGHT REAR FENDER DAMAGED SUBSTANTIALLY, AND THE RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT SMASHED FROM THE TIRE TREAD HITTING THE INSIDE IF THE FENDER WELL. ANOTHER TIRE JUST AFTERWARDS HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A ...RUMP-RUMP SOUND. SUSPECT TIRE TREAD SEPARATION IN BOTH INSTANCES. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN HIS GARAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 10 HOURS EARLIER. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED OR LOCATE ANY DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS DAMAGED, HOWEVER, THE MOST EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. FORD WAS NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIRE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,000. UPDATED 3/5/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED ALL 3 INVESTIGATORS STATED THE FIRE WAS A DEFECT IN THE TRUCK. FIRE DEPT AND INSURANCE REPORT. UPDATED 03/04/08 *TR

IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, THE SENDER ASSEMBLY IN MY FORD F150 FAILED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE GAUGE THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. BECAUSE OF THAT FAILURE, BOTH HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN ALLOWING WATER TO GO INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE SENDER ASSEMBLY WAS NOT WORKING SO IT DID NOT SEND A SIGNAL TO THE OIL GAUGE THAT THE PRESSURE WAS LOW. THIS CAUSED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WAS $5,405.12 + 20 DAYS OF A RENT CAR $672. ALL OF THIS OUT OF MY POCKET AND FORD REFUSES TO REIMBURSE ME AS DOES THE DEALERSHIP WHO DID THE REPAIR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY SNAPPED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FOUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HUB ASSEMBLY SPINDLE SNAPPED AND THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $5,200. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED WITH A USED HUB ASSEMBLY PER HIS INSURANCE COMPANY'S REQUEST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.

FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL ON 2003 FORD F150. SITUATION: DRIVING AT STEADY STATE; PRESS CRUISE-CONTROL 'ON' SWITCH; HORN CHIRPS; CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGES WITH-OUT PRESSING THE 'SET' BUTTON AND BEGINS TO ACCELERATE VEHICLE. BRAKE PEDAL DE-ACTIVATION SWITCH DIS-ENGAGES CRUISE CONTROL ONLY TEMPORARILY. CRUISE CONTROL RE-ACTIVATES ON IT'S OWN WHEN FOOT IS REMOVED FROM BRAKE PEDAL, AND BEGINS TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. THE 'OFF' SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL SUCCESSFULLY DISENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED ~MARCH 2007, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AT THE DEALER. PROBLEM RE-SURFACED ON 8/5/07, AND SEEMS TO BE CONSISTENT NOW. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT THE POTENTIAL IS THERE. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT THIS POINT; NO REPAIR HAS BEEN DONE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. FORD AGREED TO TEST HIS AIR BAGS TO DETERMINE IF THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACTS WIFE SUSTAINED MUSCLE TRAUMA AND BRUISING TO HER BACK, NECK, STERNUM, AND LEGS FROM THE SEAT BELTS AND IMPACT OF THE CRASH. SHE ALSO SUFFERED HEMORRHAGING STRIKING HER LEGS BELOW THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DOORS AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED AND THE ENGINE WAS KNOCKED COMPLETELY OFF THE MOTOR MOUNT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED MULTIPLE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER IS INVESTIGATION WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND TEST THEM AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER STATED WIFE RECEIVED A PHONE CALL THE WOULD TEST THE AIR BAGS BUT HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AT THEIR EXPENSE TO A LOCATION AND THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED IS STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE MANUFACTURER. UPDATED 08/23/07 *TR

ON OCCASIONS WHEN PRESSING BRAKE PETAL, THE ENGINE WILL SPEED UP WIDE OPEN CAUSING THE BACK WHEEL TO ACTUALLY TO SPIN THE BACK TIRES WHILE HOLDING THE BREAK PETAL DOWN HARD! VERY DANGEROUS!! FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEN THE TRUCK WAS ONLY A COUPLE MONTHS OLD. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO DEALER, AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCASION OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN BUT NOT AS SERIOUS UNTIL ONLY RECENTLY! LAST TIME I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER, MAY 14, 2007, I LEFT IT WITH THEM FOR A WEEK. I WENT BACK AND PICKED UP THE TRUCK, AND THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY THE WRONG. I TOOK THE TRUCK AND IN ONE AND ONE HALF WEEK LATER THE FAST ACCELERATION HAPPEN AGAIN!!! *TR SEE ALSO ODI 10205846 *DSY.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006, THE VEHICLE'S COIL PACK FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE IT FAILED, THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING EXTREMELY ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN DECEMBER OF 2006, SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN, A SECOND COIL PACK FAILED, AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE CV BOOT. THE SECOND COIL PACK WAS REPLACED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE CV BOOT HAD BEEN REPAIRED. UPON RETURNING HOME, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE CV BOOT HAD ONLY BEEN TURNED ON THE OTHER SIDE AND WAS NOT REPLACED. IN ADDITION TO THE FIRST CV BOOT NOT BEING REPAIRED, THE OTHER AXLE BOOT HAS DETACHED COMPLETELY OFF THE SHAFT. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, AND THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES.*AK

ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON, INTAKE MNANIFOLD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON A 2003 V6 4.2L ENGINE IN A FORD F150. *AK

2003 FORD F150 4X4. A HEAVY SNOW STORM HIT NORTHEAST ON 3/16/07. I HAD MY PREGNANT WIFE AND THREE YEAR OLD SON IN TRUCK COMING BACK FROM A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT ENGAGE. WE WERE STUCK FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON EVENT WITH THE FORDS AND THERE SHIFT ON THE FLY 4X4 SYSTEM. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ON GOING PROBLEM BUT TOLD ME IT WAS MY PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE SYSTEM AND AGAIN STATED "IT WAS MY PROBLEM!" THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED OCCURENCES YET NOTHING HAS BEEN CORRECTED. TRUCK IS GOING IN FOR REPAIR ON FRIDAY AND MECHANIC STATED IT IS APPROX $500 TO REPAIR. THE VACUUM SOLENIOD AND VACUUM LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED. FORD WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE VACUUM PROBLEM WHEN I SPOKE WITH THEM. VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS WITH A FAMILY RELYING ON A 4X4 WHEN NEEDED.

I PURCHASED A USED 2003 F-150 WITH 38,000 MILES ON IT APROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO. I STARTED NOTICING AN OIL LEAK IN DECEMBER BUT COULD NOT LOCATE WHERE IT CAME FROM. AFTER TRYING TO ADD STOP LEAK TO SEAL IT, I FINALLY BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER. WITH 49,000 MILES ON IT, THE FRONT GASKET AND LEFT HEAD GASKET WERE BAD. THIS SEEMS A LITTLE PREMATURE FOR A FAILURE OF THIS TYPE.

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE 2003 FORD F150 WITH 15000 FAILURE MILEAGE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE HE PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND IT ACCELERATED TO 35 MPH AND STRUCK A TREE. THE DRIVER THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND PUT IT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE CAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

MY VEHICLE IS A 2003 F150 XL. I AWOKE THIS MORNING TO FIND THE CAB OF MY TRUCK FULL OF SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. I NOTICED A TRAIL OF SMOKE ORIGINATING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I IMMEDIATELY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND REMOVED THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. I FOUND EXPOSED WIRING AND MELTED COMPONENTS LEADING INTO THE HIGH-BEAM SELECTOR LEVER. *NM

WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE JERKS AS IF THE ABS ENGAGES AND RELEASES CONTINUOUSLY THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE BROKE COMPLETE OFF, CABLE AND COVERING. AFTER REPLACING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE I STEPPED ON EMERGENCY BRAKE WHEN I PARKED, HEARD A POP AND LATER WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE REAR LEFT WHEEL WOULD GRAB MAKING A GRINDING SOUND AND SLOWING THE VEHICLE. WAS ABLE TO GET TO A GARAGE WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PADS HAD BROKEN OFF AND WERE BINDING THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *JB

WHILE DRIVING I BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT BUT WAS UNABLE. THE STICK WAS REAL LOOSE AND I COULD NOT FIND THE GEARS. THE ANALOGY (IT WAS LIKE A BROKEN ARM IT JUST WOBBLED) THIS WAS SCARY NOT KNOWING HOW TO GET MY TRUCK (FORD EXPLORER,SPORT TRAC) IN GEAR. I MANIPULATED THE SHIFT AND FINALLY GOT IT TO FIRST AND PARKED IT. THE SHIFT HAD TO BE MOVED WAY RIGHT OR WAY LEFT TO ACCOMPLISH THIS PROCESS OF GEAR CHANGING. GUESSING WHAT GEAR YOUR IN IS NOT WHAT I WANT WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO THE PATTCHETTS FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOLTS THAT HELD THE SHIFT IN PLACE HAD WORKED THERE WAY LOOSE AND THAT ."IT WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE"RONNIE, SERVICE MANAGER STATED. RONNIE STATED THAT WAS ALSO COMMON FOR THE SHORT STICK MUSTANGS. THIS IS REAL UNSAFE FOR ANYONE WHO HAS THIS OCCURRENCE HAPPEN TO THEM. *NM

THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURANCE THAT I HAVE HAD A OIL SEAL OR GASKET ON THE ENGINE AFTER DRIVING 80 +MILE PER HOUR. I HAD MY TRUCK LESS THAN THREE YEARS. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED IT VIBRATE WHEN REACHING THE SPEED MENTIONED. *NM

ON 11-21-06, ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES, WAS ACCELERATING ONTO THE FREEWAY AND REALIZED THAT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE ON HIS 2003 FORD F150 WAS STUCK. HE HAD TO PUT THE F150 IN NEUTRAL AND PULL OVER TO SAFELY STOP (THE ENGINE WAS RACING UNTIL HE TURNED IT OFF). HE FOUND THAT THERE IS A PLASTIC, TWO-PIECE COVER AROUND THE THROTTLE LINKAGE THAT HAD COME UNSNAPPED ON ITS UNDERSIDE AND HAD APPARENTLY CAUSED THE PROBLEM. HE REPLACED THE COVER. THIS PROBLEM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A SEVERE, PERHAPS FATAL, DEFECT. *JB

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, MY F-150, 5.4 LITER ENGINE BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG. THE REPAIR COST IS IN EXCESS OF $4000. THE AFFECTED ALUMINUM CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE DOES NOT COVER THE ROUTINE TIGHTENING / INSPECTION OF SPARK PLUGS DURING THE PERIODIC 30K, 60K SERVICES EVEN THOUGH THEY (THE DEALER) KNOWS THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. THE DESIGN PROBLEM STEMS FROM A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF THREADS TO HOLD THE SPARK PLUG IN PLACE. THE 5.4 LITER ENGINE IS A POWERFUL ENGINE THAT NECESSITATES A THICKER AND LONGER WELL TO TORQUE AND HOLD THE SPARK PLUGS IN PLACE. THE INTERNET IS FILLED COMPLAINTS MADE BY FORD CONSUMERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS ON FORD ENGINES. *NM

10/10/06 7:20 PM I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WITH MY DAUGHTER IN MY FORD F150 2003 TRUCK, WHEN IT BEGAN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, AND PUSHED THE BRAKE DOWN AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO TO TRY AND HOLD THE TRUCK IN PLACE. I COULD FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL JUMPING UNDER MY FEET AS THE TRUCK WAS TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD. I DIDN'T THINK THE BRAKES WERE GOING TO HOLD THE TRUCK IN PLACE. I COULD HEAR THE TRUCKS MOTOR RACING LOUDER AND LOUDER FROM INSIDE THE CAB WITH ALL THE WINDOWS UP. THE TRUCKS RPM REGISTERED A 5. KEEPING BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I FEEL VERY LUCKY NO ONE WAS INJURED. I CALLED THE FORD HOUSE IN THE NEAREST TOWN AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY ADVISED ME THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A REPORT OF THIS NATURE REGARDING FORD VEHICLES. I HAVE SINCE DONE RESEARCH REGARDING THIS MATTER AND THEIR VEHICLES APPEAR TO BE IN LITIGATION IN WHICH FORD HAS BEEN REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE DOCUMENTS THAT REVEAL THE BREADTH OF THE PROBLEM. (DEFECTS IN THE DESIGN OF THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL ("CRUISE CONTROL"). "THE REPORT I READ STATES ALMOST NO FORD VEHICLE IS EXEMPT!" IN ADDITION THERE ARE PRIOR CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WITH THE 2003 FORD F150 IN REGARDS TO THE SAME EXPERIENCE THAT I HAD. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK, BUT THE EXPERIENCES APPEAR TO BE THE SAME. I PLAN TO FOLLOW UP BY TAKING MY TRUCK TO THE FORD HOUSE I CALLED WITH MY COMPLAINT ALONG WITH COPIES OF THE REPORT I

ON SEPT 31 ALL WAS WELL. THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED DOWN TO 40+ DEGREE'S THAT NIGHT. WELL MUCH TO MY SURPRISE I WENT TO GET IN MY 03 F150 TO GO TO THE STORE, AND THE REAR GLASS WAS ALL SHATTERED. NOTHING HIT, NOTHING AROUND IT. THE TEMP ONLY GOT UP TO 78 TODAY OCT.1-2006. WE HAVE HAD STRANGER WEATHER THEN THIS WHY WOULD THE GLASS JUST SHATTER LIKE THAT. THERE HAS TO BE SOME DEFECT IN THE GLASS TO DO THAT?I LIVE OFF A BUDGET AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR REPLACING THE GLASS. SO WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP ME REPLACE THE REAR GLASS,I SURE CAN'T DRIVE TO WORK WITH NO REAR GLASS. MY 03 F150 IS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. SO PLEASE HELP ME REPLACE THE GLASS. *NM

DROVE MY TRUCK HOME FROM WORK YESTERDAY AND AT 30 MPH MY ENGINE BLEW A SPARK PLUG. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS $3000+. I RESEARCHED ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I CONTACTED FORD AT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN DEARBORN, MI AND THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE COSTS OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING F-150 4X4, ACCELERATOR/THROTTLE STUCK AND CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND EVEN AFTER CRASH, WAS STILL STUCK AND KEPT TRYING TO GO WIDE OPEN. *JB

JUST HAD MY 2003 F150 5.4L FIXED AFTER THE #3 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. NEW PLUGS AND HEADS COST ME $4000.00. THE HEADS ARE THE UPDATED VERSION FORD NOW HAS. THE ORIGINAL WERE 3 THREADS, ALLOWING FOR THE PLUGS TO BLOW OUT BEFORE THE 100,000 PLUG REPLACEMENT. THEY NOW HAVE 7 THREADS. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL AND REPAY US. *JB

MY SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MY 2003 FORD F150 5.4 L THIS WEEK. FORD WANTS 3800.00 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE HEAD AND PLUGS. I HEAR ALOT OF THIS HAPPENING. WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED. I CANT AFFORD TO HAVE MY TRUCK FIXED. NOW WHAT? WHO LOOKS OUT FOR THE LITTLE GUY NOW? *NM

VEHICLE TYPE - 2003 FORD F-150 (HARLEY-DAVIDSON EDITION) ISSUE ALSO AFFECTS OTHER YEAR MODELS OF THE SAME TRUCK. 1) NO KNOWN EVENTS - PART SEEMS TO HAVE BROKEN EASILY UNDER NORMAL USE AND NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. 2) THE PART THAT HAS FAILED IS A FOG LAMP BRACKET. WHEN THE BRACKET FAILS (IT IS MADE OF BRITTLE PLASTIC), THE FOG LAMP ASSEMBLY WILL FALL TO THE GROUND IN FRONT OF EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT TIRES. THIS CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHEN THE TRUCK TIRE IMPACTS THE FOG LAMP ASSEMBLY. 3) FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART - THEY DISAGREE THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF THESE PARTS FAILING ONLINE IN DIFFERENT USER FORUMS. *NM

I AM ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF FORD OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD SPARK PLUGS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEADS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A MAJOR DISGRACE THAT YOU ALL WILL CONTINUE TO LET FMC LIE AND STEEL FROM ITS CUSTOMERS AND DENY THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THERE ENGINES. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE FORD STAND UP FOR THEIR MISTAKES. *NM

2003 F150 TRUCK BED CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS *JB THE TRUCK BURNED TO THE FRAME. *NM

DRIVING IN MY BACK YARD, TESTING NEW SNOW TIRES, SPEED APROX. 25 MPH, HIT 10" DEEP HOLE, BROKE AXLE, DIRECTLY BEHIND BRAKE DISC, REAR WHEEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, PICTURES AVAILABLE. HAD TO REPLACE AXLE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON DRY FREEWAY ROADS, THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS PRESSED. THE ENGINE REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE ROSE, BUT THE VEHICLE SPEED DID NOT GO BEYOND 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FIVE TIMES, EACH TIME WITH A DIFFERENT PART BEING REPLACED TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS NOT MANAGED TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENTIRE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. ALTHOUGH THE WINDSHIELD GLASS BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE MOLDING, THE GLASS DID NOT CRACK OR BREAK. THE GLASS RESTED BETWEEN THE HOOD SLIT AND THE GLASS MOLDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED A GLASS COMPANY IN REFERENCE TO THE ISSUE. THE GLASS COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REINSTALLED THE WINDSHIELD GLASS WITH NEW GLUE AROUND THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING. UPDATED 3/17/2006 - *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE FIRST TIME HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT ROTORS CHANGED DUE TO AN ACCUMULATION OF RUST. THE SECOND TIME HAD TO THE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED ON THE REAR BECAUSE OF RUST. THIS LAST TIME THE DEALERSHIP URGED THE CONTACT HE HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS CHANGED DUE TO RUST ON THE ROTORS. *AK

AMERISTAR TIRES!! ARE THEY GOOD TIRES? MY OPINION IS NO, NO, NO! I HAVE 16,000 MILES OF GRANNY-LIKE DRIVING ON MY 2003 FORD F-150, WITH THE ORIGINAL AMERISTAR TIRES PROVIDED STOCK ON MY TRUCK. WE DON'T GET THAT MUCH RAIN IN CALIFORNIA BUT EVERY TIME IT DOES RAIN I NOTICE THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE EVEN MORE CAUTIOUSLY THAN I EVER HAVE. I SLIDE ALL OVER THE PLACE EVEN WHEN THE TIRES WERE BRAND NEW. WELL TODAY I MERGED ONTO THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, WHILE EVERYONE ELSE WAS PASSING ME IN THERE LITTLE TINY CARS AT 75 MPH. I HIT A PUDDLE AND THAT'S ALL SHE WROTE. I SLID ACROSS 4 LANES AND SMASHED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDE. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF CAR MANUFACTURERS AND JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE CUTTING CORNERS TO SAVE A BUCK AND RISKING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, MINE WAS IN THE CAR, AND CONSUMERS. I HAVE ALREADY READ THAT AMERISTAR TIRES ARE FALLING APART ANYWAY AND FORD SHOULD RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND REPLACE THOSE GARBAGE TIRES WITH SOMETHING BETTER. NOW, AFTER I HAVE JUST ABOUT KILLED MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER, I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION. PLEASE HELP!!! I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE DONE TO MY TRUCK AND MY HIGHER INSURANCE RATES BECAUSE OF A CHEAP PRODUCT. "AW HE'S PROBABLY A BAD DRIVER." YOU SAY, WELL I HAVE DRIVEN THOUSANDS OF MILES IN TRUCKS IN RAINY, SNOWY WEATHER AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH HYDROPLANING. GET RID OF YOUR AMERISTAR TIRES RIGHT AWAY IF YOU LIVE IN RAINY AREAS. *JB

TRUCK WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT (NO PROBLEMS). NEXT MORNING, I STARTED THE TRUCK. IT SOUNDED LIKE A LAWNMOWER TRYING TO START WITH A LOUD "POPPING" NOISE. SMELT RAW GAS VAPORS COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. TOOK TO FORD TO FIX. THEY QUOTED ME $3200 REPAIR JOB BY REPLACING A CYLINDER HEAD. I REFUSED AND TOOK TO A (FARTHER AWAY) TRUSTWORTHY MECHANIC TO PUT A THREAD INSERT INTO SPARK PLUG HOLE AND USE A HELICOI FOR APPROX $400. FORD REFUSED TO DO THREAD INSERT REPAIR, AND WANTED TO SELL ME SAME PART THAT BROKE IN THE FIRST PLACE. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WINDSHIELD LEAKED. AS A RESULT OF THE LEAK THE VEHICLE SUFFERED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. THE WINDSHIELD WAS BEING REPAIRED ALONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE SOLUTION. *AK

2003 F-150 WITH 5.4L TRITON ENGINE. 54K MILES, EXPERIENCING RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD GASKET LEAK. FORD HAS TSB 02227 CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. TRUCK HAD 36K WARRANTY. THE COSTLY REPAIRS ARE NOT COVERED BY FORD. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT IN WHICH THE PARTS AND LABOR IS COVERED. I HAVE RESEARCHED WITH OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLES. I ALSO BELIEVE THERE MAYBE A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE LEAKING OIL DRIPS ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. THANKS. *NM

2004 EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER WITH 45K MILES WINDSHIELD BUBBLED MAKING VIEWING DIFFICULT AND DRIVING DANGEROUS. THIS STARTED SMALL AND THEN WENT ON TO INVOLVE MOST OF THE WINDSHIELD IN LITTLE OVER A WEEK. DEALER REPLACED WINDSHIELD FOR $150.00. WINDSHIELD DEFINITELY DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS NEEDS REPORTING. *JB

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 50-55 MPH AND MY 4X WHEEL DRIVE KICKED ON WITHOUT ME ENGAGING IT, THEN BY ITSELF AGAIN IT TURNED OFF. THE NEXT NIGHT I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND IT DID IT AGAIN, IT WENT ON AND OFF BY ITSELF. MY BOYFRIEND DID NOT BELIEVE IT AND THEN AN HOUR LATER HE WAS DRIVING AND I DID IT AGAIN. I TOOK IT THE DEALER DAYS LATER AND THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT WHAT IT WAS . THEY SAID THEY TRIED TO PROVOKE IT BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT WHY AND HOW IT WAS HAPPENING. *JB

DT: ON 7-9-05 THE CONTACT'S SON WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. HE WAS DRIVING A 2003 FORD F-150. HE HIT A GUARD RAIL AND WENT INTO A DITCH ABOUT 100 YARDS AND HIT AN OVERPASS SIGN POST MADE OF CEMENT. THE TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CORONER SAID THAT THE FIRE CAUSED THE DEATH OF THE CONTACT'S SON. SHE SAID THAT HE DID NOT HAVE A BROKEN BONE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WERE NOTIFIED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID NOT HAVE AN INVESTIGATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT REPORTED THAT SHE DID NOT KNOW IF HER SON HAD ANY PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED.*AK

WITH ONLY 23000 MILES ON MY 2003 F150 SUPERCREW 4X4, MY TRANSMISSION HAD WHAT THEY CALLED AN "INTERNAL FAILURE"... TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT. *NM

2003 FORD F150 PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WITH NO KEYS IN TRUCK. HEARD LOUD POP NOISE FROM PARKING BRAKE. TRUCK ROLLED BACK ACROSS STREET AND INTO A HOUSE. BODY SHOP WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE SENT TO SERVICE DEPT. TO CK OUT BUT DIDN'T. SERVICE DEPT HAS NO RECORD OF GETTING TRUCK FROM BODY SHOP. WE TRADED TRUCK IN AFTER REPAIRS. WE DIDN'T TRUST IT AND NO ONE COULD GIVE US AN ANSWER. INS. HAD TO PAY FOR HOUSE AND OUR TRUCK DAMAGES. *JB

DT: THE OWNER TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECUASE OF THE BRAKES. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES WHEN GOING ABOUT 50 MPH. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. LAST WEEK WHEN THE CONSUMER DROVE A RENTAL CAR HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE WORKING WELL. *AK

ON AN AVERAGE OF ONCE A MONTH, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK AND THE TRUCK HAS TO BE PUSHED FROM THE FRONT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO RELEASE. *NM

AFTER HEARING AN ANNOYING WHISTLE AND/OR WIND SOUND IN OUR 2003 FORD F150 SUPER CREW FX4 TRUCK FOUND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE UPPER PART OF THE CAR (WE COULD SEE DAYLILGHT). WE TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP THE NEXT DAY WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT ATTACHED BY ANY SEALANT, IT WAS BEING HELD IN BY THE MOLDING ONLY. A AUTO GLASS COMPANY WAS CALLED AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE POLY THAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE ON THE WINDSHIELD WAS ON THE RUBBER MOLDING.